We’ve always been told that it is never a good idea to discuss salary during an interview. But, this is not actually always the case. There are instances where you can, and should discuss salaries, but you need to know how to go about it in the right way. In fact, some employers actually love the game of negotiation, and the better you are at it, the better your chances are of being hired, because you have the skills the employer is looking for. The following are some tips that will help you to master the art of discussing salary during the interview.
Know Your Worth
There is a market value for every job, and in order to get the highest possible salary, you need to know what you are worth, and be able to articulate this to prospective employers. Think about what you are earning right now, and then set a realistic goal for what you expect to receive as a salary for your next job. The more skills you have, the higher the salary you will be able to negotiate.
Do the Right Research
“Prior to the interview, make sure that you learn as much about the company as possible, especially the salary ranges, benefits, and industry standard salary ranges. That way, you will have a good idea of what you should be offered for a salary, and if it is lower, you have some room to negotiate,” suggests HR manager from GadgetSalvation. Also be sure to research how easy it is to move up in the company, and what salaries are like for the positions you hope to achieve.
Time it Right
You need to feel out the interviewer and figure out when the time is right to ask about salaries. Wait until you know for sure that they really like you and that they are interested in hiring you. Then, you have a bit of leverage. Once they have decided that they want to hire you, it will be easier to negotiate a salary that works for both you and for the employer. They want you, so you need to make them prove it by offering what you want.
Be the First to Mention Salary
It is a good idea to mention a salary range before the employer. This is going to begin the negotiations in your favor. Remember, when it comes to the art of negotiation salaries, the first offer is the starting point for the entire conversation. If you let them do it first, they are not likely to be offering the salary you want. If you ask first, they will be forced to negotiate with you if they really want to hire you.
Don’t Jump on Any Offers
Never accept the first offer made to you. In most cases, the employer will actually be prepared to offer more if you negotiate, so if you take the first offer, you could end up making a lot less than you should be. After the first offer, tell them that you will get back to them with your decision in a specific amount of time. That will tell them that you want to negotiate, and they may end up offering a higher salary before your deadline.
Talk about Other Offers
If you can show that you would be an asset to the company, an employer is going to want to make sure that they hire you. So, let them know that you have other interviews, and that other offers have been made. They may just speed up the interview and make the right offer right away, so they will know for sure that they are going to be able to have you as part of their team.
